End of page signal device for a typewriter

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for a typewritter which will actuate an alarm for indicating when the end of a page is approaching. A solenoid actuated releasable latch carried by a rotatable member for presetting the attachment for actuating an alarm at any selected distance from the bottom of the page. A pair of electrical controls sensing the end of the page at a predetermined position and connecting the rotatable member to the platen axle for rotation in response to a solenoid actuated by the electrical contacts, a signal switch actuated after the rotatable member moves a predetermined distance. An adjustably positioned pin for selecting the predetermined distance the rotatable member travels before actuating the alarm.

United States Patent [191 Simmons, Jr. 1

[ END OF PAGE SIGNAL DEVICE FOR A TYPEWRITER [76] Inventor: John T. Simmons, Jr., 31

Runnymeade Rd., Houston, Tex. 07928 [22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 325,722

[52] US. Cl. 197/189 [51] Int. Cl B41j 29/44 [58] Field of Search 197/119, 141,187,189

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,053,922 2/1913 Neidig 197/189 1,053,930 2/1913 Neidig 197/189 1,113,163 10/1914 Neidig 197/189 2.474.951 7/1949 McCoy 197/189 2,573,023 10/1951 Hull 197/189 2,689,033 9/1954 Grenier 197/189 June 25, 197

3,091,321 5/1963 Ashworth 197/189 Primary ExaminerErnest T. Wright, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fullbright & Crooker [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for a typewritter which will actuate an alarm for indicating when the end of a page is approaching. A solenoid actuated releasable latch carried by a rotatable member for presetting the attachment for actuating an alarm at any selected distance from the bottom of the page. A pair of electrical controls sensing the 'end of the page, at a predetermined position and connecting the rotatable member to the platen axle for rotation in response to a solenoid actu ated by the electrical contacts, a signal switch actuated after the rotatable member moves a predetermined distance. An adjustably positioned pin for selecting the predetermined distance the rotatable member travels before actuating the alarm.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures END OF PAGE SIGNAL DEVICE FOR A TYPEWRITER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION is directed to an improved end of page signaling apparatus to indicate to the typist the position of the bottom edge of the typewriter paper sheet relative to the typing line. The present invention can be preset to actuate the alarm several lines further from the bottom of the page than possible in the prior art devices. In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus that can be preset to actuate the sensing device which in turnwill actuate an alarm at any selected desired distance from the bottom of the page thereby allowing the typist to easily adjust thealarm to meet varied typing requirements.

SUMMARY The present invention is directed to an end of page signal device for a typewriter which senses the end of the page at a predetermined position, and connects a rotatable means to the platen axle for rotation in response to the sensing means for providing an alarm after the rotatable member moves a predetermined distance.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of selection means for selecting the predetermined distance that the rotatable member travels before actuating the alarm thereby allowing the typist to select what distance or number of typing lines from the bottom of the page the alarm will be actuated.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is a provision of a pair of electrical contacts through which the page moves for actuating an electrical solenoid for moving a rotatable member into engagement with a gear wheel connected to the platen axle whereby the rotatable member will rotate with the platen and engage a signal switch after traveling a predetermined distance.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of releasing means positioned in the path of travel for disconnecting the rotatable member from the.

gear wheel, and returning the rotatable member to its original position for repeating the cycle with another page.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of adjustably positioned means for carrying the releasing means so that the distance of travelof the rotatable member may be selectively controlled for providing a signal at the desired distance from the end of the page.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross section of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, partly exploded, taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3'is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the present invention showing in solid outline the position of the parts therein as the end of a page is sensed. and showing in dotted outline release of the rotatable member after it has traveled a predetermined distance, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing in dotted outline the actuation of the alarm. and showing in solid outline the latching means moving back into its original position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 20 indicates a typewriter platen mounted on an axle 22, and numeral 24 indicates part of the typewriter frame.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, means are provided for sensing the end 26 of a typewriter paper page 28 at a predetermined rotational position on the platen 20. Such means may include an electrical contact 30 and an electrical contact 32 positioned on opposite sides of the paper page 28. A suitable electrical supply (not shown) is connected between the electrical contacts 30 and 32. So long as the paper 28 prevents the contact 30 from contacting contact 32, the sensing circuit is not activated. However, after the end 26 of the page 28 passes through the contacts 30 and 32, electrical current flows between the contacts 30 and 32 and actuates an electrical solenoid 34.

A gear wheel 36 is fixedly connected to the axle 22 and rotates in synchronism with the platen 20 and includes a plurality of teeth 38 around its outer periphery. A first rotatable member 40 is rotatably supported on the axle 22 and includes a releasable latch 42 carried on the rotatable member 40 by a pivot pin 44. The releasable latch 42 includes an engaging tooth 46 which when moved into engagement with the teeth 38 on the gear wheel 36, causes the first rotatable member 40 to rotate with the platen 20. Referring to FIG. 1, a first spring 50 is provided connected between the first rotatable member 40 and the frame 24 to yieldably move the member 40 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen'in FIG. 2, to urge the releasable latch 42 into position between the plunger 52 of the solenoid 34 and the gear wheel 36. The plunger 52 may include a tapered face 54 for holding the releasable latch 42 in position. However, when the solenoid 34 is actuated, the plunger 52 moves outwardly, as best seen in FIG. 3, to move the releasable latch 42 toward the gear wheel 36 causing the engaging tooth 46 to engage the teeth 38. When the releasable latch 42 is engaged with the gear wheel 36, the rotatable member 40 will rotate in a clockwise direction with the platen 20 overcoming the spring 50.

A second spring 56 is provided connected at one end 58 to the rotatable member 40 and connected at its other end 60 to the releasable latch 42. A latch stop 63 is provided on the rotatable member 40. As best seen in FIG. 2, the spring 56 is positioned on one side of the pivot pin 44 to normally hold the latch 42 against the stop 63 and hold the latch 42 against the tapered end 54 of the plunger 52. However, as best seen in FIG. 3, when the plunger 52 actuates the releasable latch 42, into engagement with the gear wheel 36, the spring end 60 moves past dead center of the pivot pin 44 and therefore acts to hold the releasable latch 42 in engagement with the gear wheel 36.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a releasing means such as a pin 62 is positioned in the path of travel of the releasable latch 42 and engages a side 64 of the releasable latch 42 after the latch 42 moves a predetermined distance. As the side 64 of the latch 42 moves against the pin 62, the latch 42 is moved out of engagement with the gear wheel 36 and against the stop 63. At this position, the rotatable member 40 is again disengaged from the gear wheel 36 and is now free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction by the action of the spring 50.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a signal switch 66 is provided having a normally opened switch arm 68 positioned in the path of travel of the releasable latch 42, and preferably in the return path of travel. As shown in the dotted outline in FIG. 4, after the latch 42 is released and as the rotatable member 40 moves in a counterclockwise direction, the latch 42 will contact the switch arm 68 moving it against a contact 70 closing the switch 66 thereby actuating a suitable alarm connected to leads 72 and 74 (FIG. 2) such as a visual light or an audible alarm (not shown). Continued counterclockwise movement of the latch 42 releases the arm 68 and moves the latch 42 again against the tapered face 54 of the plunger 52 for preparation for the next sheet of paper. I

It is to be noted that the electrical contacts sense the end 26 of the page 28 as it moves past contacts 30 and 32. At this point, the solenoid 34 is actuated moving the releasable latch 42 into engagement with the gear wheel 36 causing the rotatable member 40 and latch 42 to rotate with the platen 20. After a predetermined distance of rotational movement of the member 40, the latch 42 contacts the releasing pin 62 allowing the member 40 and latch 42 to move in a counterclockwise direction by the action of spring 50 to actuate the signal switch 66 and actuate an alarm. The distance that the latch 42 travels before engaging the pin 62 is preferably selective so that the typist may adjust the distance that the alarm is actuated before the end 26 of the page 28 comes off of the platen 20. The distance may be selected by adjustably positioning the pin 62 such as connecting it to a second rotatable member 80 which is rotatably mounted on the axle 22, but may be rotatably positioned relative to the frame 24 by a latch 82. As best seen in FIG. 2, the rotatable member 80 may be rotated relative to'the latch 82 to move the releasing pin 62 to the desired position. Preferably, the rotatable member 80 includes a plurality of notches 84 for engagement with the latch which are suitably numbered so that the typist has an indication of the distance or number of lines from the bottom of the page 28 that the alarm will sound.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein.

a pair of electrical contacts supported on the typewriter between which a page moves,

an electrical solenoid connected to the contacts for actuation when the end of the page moves through the contacts,

a gear wheel connected to the platen axle,

a rotatable member rotatably supported on the axle,

a releasable latch having an engaging tooth and movably carried by the rotatable member adjacent the gear wheel,

a spring supported on the typewriter yieldably urging the rotatable member in a direction for positioning the engaging tooth adjacent the solenoid whereby when the solenoid is actuated the solenoid moves the engaging tooth into engagement with the gear wheel and the rotatable member and the releasable latch is rotated with the platen,

releasing means positioned in the path of travel of the releasable latch for disengagement of the engaging tooth from the gear wheel after the rotatable member and releasable latch have traveled a predetermined distance whereby the releasable latch is re- 7 turned to the original position, and

a signal switch engageable by and in the return path of travel of the releasable latch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

an adjustably positioned second rotatable member rotatably carried by said axle for carrying said releasing means whereby the distance of travel of the releasable latch may be selectively controlled for providing a signal at the desired distance from the end of the page.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

spring means connected between the releasable latch and the rotatable member for yieldably holding the releasable latch against the gear wheel when the releasable latch is actuated by the solenoid, and

a latch stop on the rotatable member for engagement with the releasable'latch on the side remote from the gear wheel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring is connected between the rotatable member and a frame member of the typewriter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the solenoid includes a plunger having a tapered face for engaging and stopping the releasable latch.

6. An end of page signal device for a typewriter having a platen rotatable about an axle comprising,

a pair of electrical contacts between which a page moves,

an electrical solenoid connected to the contacts for actuation when the end of the page moves through the contacts,

a gear wheel connected to the platen axle,

a first rotatable member rotatably supported on the axle,

a releasable latch having an engaging tooth and pivotally carried by a pivot on the first rotatable member,

a first spring connected between the typewriter and said first rotatable member urging the first rotatable member in a direction for positioning the releasable latch between the solenoid and the gear wheel whereby when the solenoid is actuated the engaging tooth is moved against and engages the gear wheel, and the first rotatable member and the releasable latch rotate with the platen,

a second spring connected between the first rotatable member and the releasable latch for yieldably holding the releasable latch in engagement with the gear wheel,

a second rotatable member rotatably supported on the axle,

means for selectively adjusting the rotatable position of the second rotatable member,

releasing means carried by the second rotatable member in the path of travel of the releasable latch for disengagement of the engaging tooth from the gear wheel after the first rotatable member and releasable latch have traveled a selected distance, and

a signal switch in the return path of travel of said releasable latch and engageable by the releasable latch.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first spring is connected between the first rotatable member and a frame member of the typewriter.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the solenoid includes a plunger having a tapered face for engaging and stopping the releasable latch in the return path of travel of said releasable latch.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 including,

a latch stop on the first rotatable member for engagement with the releasable latch on the side remote from the gear wheel, and

said second spring is connected to the first rotatable member and to the releasable latch on opposite sides of the pivot connection of the releasable latch to said first rotatable member for holding the releasable latch in engagement with the gear wheel on actuation of the solenoid and for holding the releasable latch against the latch stop on disengagement of the releasable latch from the gear wheel by the releasing means.

UNITED STATES PATEN'EQ OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CQRREQTEON Patent No. 3,819,029 June 25. 1974 Inventor(K) JOHN T. SIMMONS, JR.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and'tbat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the title page:

Change 'inventor's residence from "Houston, Tex."

I v to Chatham, New Jersey-.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M, GIBSON JRo C-. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An end of page signal device for a typewriter having a platen rotatable about an axle comprising, a pair of electrical contacts supported on the typewriter between which a page moves, an electrical solenoid connected to the contacts for actuation when the end of the page moves through the contacts, a gear wheel connected to the platen axle, a rotatable member rotatably supported on the axle, a releasable latch having an engaging tooth and movably carried by the rotatable member adjacent the gear wheel, a spring supported on the typewriter yieldably urging the rotatable member in a direction for positioning the engaging tooth adjacent the solenoid whereby when the solenoid is actuated the solenoid moves the engaging tooth into engagement with the gear wheel and the rotatable member and the releasable latch is rotated with the platen, releasing means positioned in the path of travel of the releasable latch for disengagement of the engaging tooth from the gear wheel after the rotatable member and releasable latch have traveled a predetermined distance whereby the releasable latch is returned to the original position, and a signal switch engageable by and in the return path of travel of the releasable latch.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including, an adjustably positioned second rotatable member rotatably carried by said axle for carrying said releasing means whereby the distance of travel of the releasable latch may be selectively controlled for providing a signal at the desired distance from the end of the page.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including, spring means connected between the releasable latch and the rotatable member for yieldably holding the releasable latch against the gear wheel when the releasable latch is actuated by the solenoid, and a latch stop on the rotatable member for engagement with the releasable latch on the side remote from the gear wheel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring is connected between the rotatable member and a frame member of the typewriter.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the solenoid includes a plunger having a tapered face for engaging and stopping the releasable latch.
 6. An end of page signal device for a typewriter having a platen rotatable about an axle comprising, a pair of electrical contacts between which a page moves, an electrical solenoid connected to the contacts for actuation when the end of the page moves through the contacts, a gear wheel connected to the platen axle, a first rotatable member rotatably supported on the axle, a releasable latch having an engaging tooth and pivotally carried by a pivot on the first rotatable member, a first spring connected between the typewriter and said first rotatable member urging the first rotatable member in a direction for positioning the releasable latch between the solenoid and the gear wheel whereby when the solenoid is actuated the engaging tooth is moved against and engages the gear wheel, and the first rotatable member and the releasable latch rotate with the platen, a second spring connected between the first rotatable member and the releasable latch for yieldably holding the releasable latch in engagement with the gear wheel, a second rotatable member rotatably supported on the axle, means for selectively adjusting the rotatable position of the second rotatable member, releasing means carried by the second rotatable member in the path of travel of the releasable latch for disengagement of the engaging tooth from the gear wheel after the first rotatable member and releasable latch have traveled a selected distance, and a signal switch in the return path of travel of said releasable latch and engageable by the releasable latch.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first spring is connected between the first rotatable member and a frame member of the typewriter.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the solenoid includes a plunger having a tapered face for engaging and stopping the releasable latch in the return path of travel of said releasable latch.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 including, a latch stop on the first rotatable member for engagement with the releasable latch on the side remote from the gear wheel, and said second spring is connected to the first rotatable member and to the releasable latch on opposite sides of the pivot connection of the releasable latch to said first rotatable member for holding the releasable latch in engagement with the gear wheel on actuation of the solenoid and for holding the releasable latch against the latch stop on disengagement of the releasable latch from the gear wheel by the releasing means. 